Multi-Functional Cleaning and Floor Care System

ABSTRACT

A multi-functional cleaning and floor care system may have: a fresh liquid reservoir; a vacuum assembly including a vacuum recovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly; a wheeled chassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir and the vacuum recovery tank; and a spigot fluidly connected to the fresh liquid reservoir, with the spigot adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The system also may have: a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreader pad; and a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/563,718, entitled “Multi-Functional Cleaning and Floor CareSystem” and filed on Jul. 31, 2012. The entire disclosure of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/563,718 is incorporated into this patentdocument by reference. This patent document claims the benefit of thefiling date: of Provisional Application No. 61/513,662, entitled “FloorCare System Including Liquid Reservoir and Spreader” and filed on Jul.31, 2011; and of Provisional Application No. 61/548,221, entitled “FloorCare System Including Liquid Reservoir, Spreader, and Vacuum” and filedon Oct. 18, 2011. The entire disclosure of each of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/513,662 and Provisional Application No. 61/548,221 isincorporated into this patent document by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cleaning and floor care machines, and moreparticularly, to multi-functional cleaning and floor care machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floors can be difficult and expensive to maintain. If not cared forproperly, they not only become unsightly, they can drive customers away,cause slip and fall accidents, and even become a health hazard.Unfortunately, traditional mopping can make matters worse. Mopping isslow, ineffective, and even potentially dangerous—leaving floorsslippery, wet, and with very few of the soils and biopollutants removed.Grouted floors are even trickier. In fact, during mopping, grout linesactually “squeegee” soil and soap scum from mops. When the waterevaporates, soils, mineral deposits, soap scum, and potentially harmfulbiopollutants are left to penetrate and coat the porous grout. Groutlines that started out light gray or white soon become stained anddarkened.

Traditional cleaning tools, like mops and wipes, remove very few soils,germs and other indoor pollutants. In fact, studies show they oftensimply spread them around. Then, workers end up crawling around on theirhands and knees wiping soiled surfaces and fixtures by hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system may have a reservoir defining an interior space operable tohold a fresh cleaning liquid, a vacuum recovery tank, a vacuum motorassembly fluidly connected to the vacuum recovery tank; and a wheeledchassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoirand the vacuum recovery tank. The system also may have a spigot fluidlyconnected to the reservoir interior space, with the spigot adjustablebetween a fully open position and a fully closed position, whereby whenthe reservoir contains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate theflow of the fresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigotby adjusting the spigot. In addition, the system may have: a liquidspreader assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquidreservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with theliquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreader pad; and asqueegee head assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquidreservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, thesqueegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank.The liquid spreader assembly may be operable to spread on a floorsurface at least a portion of the fresh cleaning liquid from thereservoir, and the squeegee head assembly may be operable to vacuum atleast a portion of the liquid on the floor surface into the vacuumrecovery tank.

In another aspect of the invention, a multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system may have a reservoir defining an interior spaceoperable to hold a fresh cleaning liquid, a wheeled chassis configuredto support the fresh liquid reservoir, and a spigot fluidly connected tothe reservoir interior space, the spigot adjustable between a fully openposition and a fully closed position, whereby when the reservoircontains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate the flow of thefresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigot by adjustingthe spigot. In addition, the system may have a liquid spreader assemblyconnected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir and the wheeledchassis, with the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and aspreader pad. The liquid spreader assembly may be operable to spread ona floor surface at least a portion of the fresh cleaning liquid from thereservoir.

In a further aspect of the invention, a multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system may have a reservoir defining an interior spaceoperable to hold a fresh cleaning liquid, a vacuum recovery tank, avacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the vacuum recovery tank, anda wheeled chassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquidreservoir and the vacuum recovery tank. The system also may have aspigot fluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, with thespigot adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closedposition, whereby when the reservoir contains a fresh cleaning liquid, auser may regulate the flow of the fresh cleaning liquid from thereservoir through the spigot by adjusting the spigot. In addition, thesystem may have a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one ofthe fresh liquid reservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, and the wheeledchassis, with the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable to thevacuum recovery tank. The squeegee head assembly also may be operable tovacuum at least a portion of the liquid on the floor surface into thevacuum recovery tank.

Additional aspects of the invention are directed to a liquid spreaderassembly, or a squeegee head assembly, or a combination of a liquidspreader assembly and a squeegee head assembly—for use with amulti-functional cleaning and floor care system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification,illustrate embodiments of the invention. And together with the generaldescription of the invention given above, and the detailed descriptionof the drawings given below, the accompanying drawings explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system, in accordance with the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a portion of the multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is another left side view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, with the liquid spreaderassembly and the squeegee vacuum head assembly shown in an up position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a portion of the bottom view of FIG. 5, enlarged formagnification purposes;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7 of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 8-8 of FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9 of FIG.6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 1, taken along line 10-10 of FIG.6:

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system, in accordance with theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system, in accordance with theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a left side view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate understanding of the invention, like reference numbers areused for like elements in the various embodiments described in detailbelow.

With reference to FIG. 1, the particular multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system embodiment 10 shown comprises a fresh liquid reservoirassembly 12, a wet/dry vacuum assembly 14, a four-bend handle 16, aliquid spreader assembly 18, a squeegee head assembly 20, and a lengthof vacuum hose 22 fluidly connecting the squeegee head assembly to thewet/dry vacuum assembly.

The fresh liquid reservoir assembly 12 has a reservoir 24 and a wheeledchassis 26 integral with the reservoir. The reservoir has acircumferential sidewall 28 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2), a bottom wall 30(see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), and an upper end 32 (see, e.g., FIGS.1-4)—with the circumferential sidewall including a front wall 34 (see,e.g., FIG. 1), a back wall 36 (see, e.g., FIG. 1), a left sidewall 38(see, e.g., FIGS. 1-4), and a right sidewall 40 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 7and 8). The reservoir defines an interior space, and the reservoir upperend defines an opening—with the reservoir capable of holding a freshcleaning liquid (e.g., water or another cleaning liquid or solution).The chassis includes the structure that supports the wheels. Thereservoir assembly has four wheels—two swivel casters at the front (asat 42 in FIG. 1), and two fixed-axle wheels at the back (as at 44 inFIGS. 1, 9, and 10). At the front, the chassis includes a reinforcedpost or leg at the front lower-left corner, and a reinforced post or legat the front lower-right corner. Each of these legs includes acylindrical bore for receiving the post of the corresponding caster. Atthe back, the chassis includes a wheel frame at the back lower-leftcorner, and a wheel frame at the back lower-right corner. If desired,the reservoir and integral wheeled chassis also may be referred to as atrolley-bucket.

The reservoir assembly 12 further has a spigot 46 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6-8)fluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, with the spigothaving a valve that is adjustable between a fully open position and afully closed position. An extension arm 48 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) isconnected to the spigot and includes an upwardly extending section. Auser may operate the spigot between a fully open position and a fullyclosed position by rotating the extension arm. In this fashion, when thereservoir 24 contains a fresh cleaning liquid (e.g., water or anothercleaning liquid or solution), a user may turn or rotate the extensionarm, thereby adjusting the spigot valve and regulating the flow of thefresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigot.

With reference to FIG. 1, the wet/dry vacuum assembly 14 has a vacuumrecovery tank 50 and a vacuum motor assembly 52 fluidly connected to thevacuum recovery tank. The vacuum motor assembly is positioned on top ofthe vacuum recovery tank, and is releasably fastened to the vacuumrecovery tank with latches. The vacuum recovery tank has a top wall 54(FIG. 1), a bottom wall 56 (FIGS. 2, 7, and 8), a front wall 58 (FIG.1), a back wall 60 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2), a left sidewall 62 (see,e.g., FIG. 1), and a right sidewall 64 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). A suctioninlet 66 (FIG. 1) is located toward the top of the front wall; and adischarge outlet (not shown) is located at the bottom of the front wall.Four swivel caster wheels (as at 70, FIG. 2) extend downward from thebottom wall.

The wet/dry vacuum assembly 14 is removably positioned on top of thereservoir 24, and the four-bend handle 16 is removably connected to thereservoir. A strap assembly (as at 72 in FIG. 1) on each side of thevacuum recovery tank 50 releasably connects the wet/dry vacuum assemblyto the four-bend handle. The wet/dry vacuum assembly is transportable onthe reservoir. In addition, each of the reservoir assembly and thewet/dry vacuum assembly is operable both when the wet/dry vacuumassembly is positioned on top of the reservoir, and when the wet/dryvacuum assembly is separated from the reservoir.

The reservoir assembly 12 is further shown and described incommonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,141, entitled “Cleaning Cart Systems”and issued on Oct. 1, 2013, and in commonly-owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/477,040, entitled “Modular Multi-FunctionalCleaning and Floor Care System” and filed on May 21, 2012. In addition,the wet/dry vacuum assembly 14, and the interaction between thereservoir assembly and the wet/dry vacuum assembly, are further shownand described in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/477,040. The entire disclosure of each of U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,141 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/477,040 is incorporated into thispatent document by reference.

With reference to FIG. 2, the liquid spreader assembly 18 and thesqueegee head assembly 20 are releasably connected to the fresh liquidreservoir assembly 12 via a hitch assembly 74. The hitch assembly isconnected to the reservoir bottom wall 30 at the back of the reservoir24, and extends rearward from the reservoir assembly.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the hitch assembly 74 has a pair of parallelbrackets 76, 78 (FIG. 6) and a crossbar 80 mounted at the exteriorsurface of the reservoir bottom wall 30. Bracket 76 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6,9, and 10) is positioned between the left rear wheel and the spigot 46,and bracket 78 is positioned between the right rear wheel and thespigot. As seen in FIG. 6, the bottom wall of each bracket has a pair oflongitudinal slots (as at 82), so that each bracket may be adjustedforward and aft as desired. The crossbar 80 is circular incross-section, and is held in position by the brackets.

The liquid spreader assembly 18 has a frame 84, a spreader pad 86releasably attached to a bottom surface of the frame, a pair ofconnecting arms 88, 90 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 9, and 10), and a strap 92(see, e.g., FIGS. 2-4). These items may be made of any suitablematerials. The pad may be releasably attached to the frame using anysuitable material(s) or method(s). For example, the frame bottom surfacemay have one or more strips of hook-type fasteners (of the hook-and-loopvariety) that engage an upper surface of the pad. The pad may be anysuitable pad, with one example being a microfiber pad. One end of eachconnecting arm is attached to an upper surface of the frame; and theother end is releasably and rotatably attached to the crossbar 80. Asbest seen in FIG. 9, the crossbar-engaging end 94 of connecting arm 88includes an integral resilient generally C-shaped member that releasablysnap-fits onto and around the crossbar. In similar fashion, thecrossbar-engaging end of connecting arm 90 includes an integralresilient generally C-shaped member (not shown) that releasablysnap-fits onto and around the crossbar. As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, thestrap 92 has male and female snap members along its length. The lowerportion of the strap is affixed to connecting arm 88; and female snapsat different locations along an upper portion of the strap may bereleasably connected to a male snap (not shown) at a rear wall member tothe left of the extension arm, at the back of the reservoir 24.

Depending on the particular upper portion female snap selected, a usermay put the liquid spreader assembly 18 in a down position (see, e.g.,FIG. 3) or in an up position (FIG. 4). When the liquid spreader assemblyis in the down position, the spreader pad 86 is in a floor contactingrelationship with a floor surface. When the liquid spreader assembly isin the up position, the spreader pad is in a non-contacting relationshipwith the floor surface (FIG. 4). A user may install or remove the liquidspreader assembly quickly and easily, without the use of any tools. Toinstall the assembly, the user aligns the open portion of the C-shapedmember of each connecting arm 88, 90 with the crossbar 80, exerts apushing force on the arms thereby snap-fitting the C-shaped members ontothe crossbar, and fastens the upper portion of the strap 92 to thereservoir 24. To remove the assembly, the user may unfasten the upperportion of the strap, and then exert a pulling force on the arms torelease the arms from the crossbar.

The squeegee head assembly 20 has a frame assembly 96 (see, e.g., FIGS.9 and 10), a pair of connecting arms 98, 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, and6-10), and a strap 102 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2-4, 7, and 8). These items maybe made of any suitable materials. The frame assembly has a frame 104(see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, and 10), squeegee blades (as at 106 and 108 inFIGS. 9 and 10), and wheels (as at 110 in FIGS. 6, 9, and 10) along thelength of the frame. The frame has a front, a back, a top, a first end,a second end, and a crown 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). A first row ofsqueegee blades (aligned end-to-end) depends from the front; and asecond row of squeegee blades (aligned end-to-end) depends from theback. A tube segment of circular cross-section extends from the crownand serves to define a suction outlet for the assembly. The tube segmentalso serves as a connector, by which a user can releasably connect(e.g., via a friction fit) the assembly to an end portion of a length ofvacuum hose—with the other end of the length of vacuum hose beingreleasably connectable to the suction inlet of the vacuum recovery tank.

In addition, the squeegee head assembly 20 has a plow member 114, 116(see, e.g., FIG. 2) at each of the frame first and second ends. Eachplow member has a first section that extends forward and down from theframe front, and a second section integral with the first section, thesecond section extending across the top of the frame, from the framefront toward the frame back. Each plow member can be helpful infacilitating power cord management. For example, if a user pushes orpulls the system 10 in a direction such that the squeegee head assemblytrails behind the spigot, and a portion of a power cord is located tothe left or right of the reservoir assembly but within the path of alaterally extending portion of the squeegee head assembly, the plowfacilitates smooth movement of the power cord portion—either up and overthe squeegee head assembly, or laterally away from the squeegee headassembly.

One end of each connecting arm 98, 100 is attached to an upper surfaceof the squeegee head assembly frame 104; and the other end is releasablyand rotatably attached to the crossbar 80. As best seen in FIG. 10, thecrossbar-engaging end 120 of connecting arm 98 includes an integralresilient generally C-shaped member that releasably snap-fits onto andaround the crossbar. In similar fashion, the crossbar-engaging end ofconnecting arm 100 includes an integral resilient generally C-shapedmember (not shown) that releasably snap-fits onto and around thecrossbar. As best seen in FIGS. 1-4, the strap 102 has male and femalesnap members along its length. The lower portion of the strap is affixedto connecting arm 100; and female snaps at different locations alongupper portions of the strap may be releasably connected to a male snap(not shown) at a rear wall member to the right of the extension arm, atthe back of the reservoir 24.

Depending on the particular upper portion female snap selected, a usermay put the squeegee head assembly 20 in a down position (see, e.g.,FIG. 3) or in an up position (FIG. 4). When the squeegee head assemblyis in the down position, the first and second rows of squeegee bladesare in a floor contacting relationship with a floor surface. When thesqueegee head assembly is in the up position, the first and second rowsare in a non-contacting relationship with the floor surface (FIG. 4). Auser may install or remove the squeegee head assembly quickly andeasily, without the use of any tools. To install the assembly, the useraligns the open portion of the C-shaped member of each connecting arm98, 100 with the crossbar 80, exerts a pushing force on the arms therebysnap-fitting the C-shaped members onto the crossbar, and fastens anupper portion of the strap 102 to the reservoir 24. To remove theassembly, the user may unfasten an upper portion of the strap, and thenexert a pulling force on the arms to release the arms from the crossbar.

In use, the user may open the reservoir spigot and turn on the wet-dryvacuum. Then the user may pull or push the multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system (e.g., in a serpentine pattern) over the floor surfaceto be cleaned. As the user pulls or pushes the system along, cleaningsolution is dispensed, spread, and vacuumed in one easy step.

The modular design of the multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem allows for quick and easy part replacement and changing from onecleaning mode to another. The design makes this process as simple assnapping on and snapping off. The modular design also allows the user toshift quickly and easily between a spread-only mode, a vacuum-only mode,and a spread-and-vacuum mode.

The connecting arms are designed so that, if a user catches part of theliquid spreader assembly or squeegee head assembly on an obstacle (e.g.,a corner of a wall or heavy table), the connecting arms may detach(i.e., snap off) from the hitch—thereby preventing the liquid spreaderassembly and the squeegee head assembly from breaking. Also, theconnecting arms are designed to have some degree of twist; in thisfashion, if either end of the squeegee head assembly frame brushes upagainst an obstacle, the squeegee head assembly can flex to get aroundthe obstacle.

The connecting arms are free to rotate around the hitch. This allows thearms to be rotated and stored in the upward-most position. In the upwardposition, the user can easily have access to the spreader pad (e.g., amicrofiber pad) for replacement. The rigid design of the connecting armsallows the user to either pull or push the floor care system. Thisallows easy maneuvering into tight spaces and backing into corners oredges. If needed or desired in order to clean an edge or alcove, theuser can disconnect the vacuum hose from the floor tool assembly andquickly attach the vac hose to a vacuum wand for trimming and cleaningthese hard to reach areas.

The wet-dry vacuum of the multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem may be powered in any suitable way. For example, the vacuum motorassembly may be connected to an electrical outlet (e.g., a wall outlet)via a power cord. Alternatively, the system may include a battery or thelike.

In use, the multi-functional cleaning and floor care system may be usedfor a wide variety of floor care needs. For example, the system may beused to apply a general-purpose cleaning solution, a stripping solution,a disinfectant, or a degreasing solution. The system may be used, e.g.,for daily floor cleaning, stripping floors, and finishing floors. Also,the system may be used in any of a number of locations and facilities,e.g., hallways, lobbies, cafeterias, gymnasiums, warehousing, shopfloors, healthcare, and retail.

In use, a multi-functional cleaning and floor care system, in accordancewith the principles of the invention, may be operated in a number ofdifferent configurations and ways—determined largely by the particularcleaning- or other floor care-activity to be performed.

For example, for general or routine cleaning, a user may fill thereservoir with cleaning solution, put the liquid spreader assembly andthe squeegee head assembly in the down position, open the spigot todispense cleaning solution, turn on the vacuum motor, and startcleaning. If extra dwell time is desired—for example, for heavy soilsituations or for disinfection purposes—the user can simply raise thesqueegee head assembly to the up position, and leave the liquid spreaderassembly in place in the down position. In this manner, the system willdisperse a thin uniform layer of solution as it leaves the spigot. Then,if desired, after a sufficient amount of dwell time, the user may simplylower the squeegee head assembly to the down position and vacuum up thesolution.

If a user wants to apply and remove a floor stripper solution, thesystem allows them to do so in a highly productive manner. For example,to apply the solution, the user may move the four-bend handle to thefront of the reservoir assembly, move the squeegee head assembly to theup position, keep the liquid spreader assembly in the down position,open the spigot, and pull the system (i.e., with the liquid spreaderassembly trailing behind the spigot). To vacuum up the strippersolution, the user may remove the liquid spreader assembly, lower thesqueegee head assembly to the down position, turn on the vacuum motor,and push the system (i.e., with the squeegee head assembly and the backof the liquid reservoir now leading (i.e., the reservoir back now beingat the front), and the front of the liquid reservoir now trailing behindthe back. In this way, the user does not walk through the strippersolution—either in applying or removing the solution.

Additional embodiments and configurations of the multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of the present invention are described infurther detail below. And as noted above, to facilitate understanding ofthe invention, like reference numbers are used for like elements acrossthe various embodiments.

With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the particular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system embodiment 200 shown is identical to system 10(shown in FIGS. 1-10), except that system 200 does not include thewet/dry vacuum assembly, the squeegee head assembly, and the length ofvacuum hose.

With reference to FIGS. 14-16, the particular multi-functional cleaningand floor care system embodiment 300 shown is identical to system 10(shown in FIGS. 1-10), except that system 300 does not include theliquid spreader assembly.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the liquid spreader assembly andthe squeegee head assembly may be fastened to a Kaivac No-TouchCleaning® machine commercially available from Kaivac, Inc. of HamiltonOhio. As needed, a bracket may be mounted to the back of a KaivacNo-Touch Cleaning® machine so as to locate the hitch at a suitableheight above the floor. A quick disconnect fitting and spray wand may bemounted to the bracket, so that the spray line of the No-Touch Cleaning®machine may be attached to the spray wand. The spray wand may have asuitably sized nozzle such that the cleaning solution from the No-TouchCleaning® machine may be dispensed at a proper location relative to theliquid spreader assembly and the squeegee head assembly (e.g., in frontof both assemblies).

The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of the presentinvention may be made using any suitable material(s) and manufacturingtechnique(s). For example, if desired, the reservoir may be made ofpolypropylene using injection molding, and the vacuum recovery tank maybe made of polyethylene via rotational molding. Also, if desired, thevacuum motor assembly may have the following specifications: 85 inchesof lift; 60 cfm; 75 decibels; for the U.S., 110 Volts, 60 Hz, 10 amps;for Universal, 100-240 Volts, 50-60 Hz, 5.5 amps; and heavy dutytwo-stage vacuum motor.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofembodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the inventors torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the following claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications readily will appear tothose skilled in the art upon a reading of this patent document. Theinvention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrativeexamples shown and described in this patent document. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thespirit or scope of the inventors' general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-functional cleaning and floor caresystem, comprising: a reservoir defining an interior space operable tohold a fresh cleaning liquid; a vacuum recovery tank; a vacuum motorassembly fluidly connected to the vacuum recovery tank; a wheeledchassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoirand the vacuum recovery tank; a spigot fluidly connected to thereservoir interior space, the spigot adjustable between a fully openposition and a fully closed position, whereby when the reservoircontains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate the flow of thefresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigot by adjustingthe spigot; a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of thefresh liquid reservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, and the wheeledchassis, the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreaderpad; and a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one of the freshliquid reservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, thesqueegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank,the liquid spreader assembly operable to spread on a floor surface atleast a portion of the fresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir, and thesqueegee head assembly operable to vacuum at least a portion of theliquid on the floor surface into the vacuum recovery tank.
 2. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 wherein theliquid spreader assembly is connected to the reservoir.
 3. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 2 wherein theliquid spreader assembly is releasably connected to the reservoir. 4.The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 whereinthe liquid spreader assembly is connectable and disconnectable by a userwithout the use of a tool.
 5. The multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system of claim 1 wherein the squeegee head assembly is connectedto the reservoir.
 6. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 5 wherein the squeegee head assembly is releasably connected tothe reservoir.
 7. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system ofclaim 1 wherein the squeegee head assembly is connectable anddisconnectable by a user without the use of a tool.
 8. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 1 wherein theliquid spreader assembly is moveable to an up position and a downposition by a user without the use of a tool.
 9. The multi-functionalcleaning and floor care system of claim 1 wherein the squeegee headassembly is moveable to an up position and a down position by a userwithout the use of a tool.
 10. A multi-functional cleaning and floorcare system, comprising: a reservoir defining an interior space operableto hold a fresh cleaning liquid; a wheeled chassis configured to supportthe fresh liquid reservoir; a spigot fluidly connected to the reservoirinterior space, the spigot adjustable between a fully open position anda fully closed position, whereby when the reservoir contains a freshcleaning liquid, a user may regulate the flow of the fresh cleaningliquid from the reservoir through the spigot by adjusting the spigot;and a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of the freshliquid reservoir and the wheeled chassis, the liquid spreader assemblyincluding a frame and a spreader pad, the liquid spreader assemblyoperable to spread on a floor surface at least a portion of the freshcleaning liquid from the reservoir.
 11. The multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of claim 10 wherein the liquid spreader assemblyis connected to the reservoir.
 12. The multi-functional cleaning andfloor care system of claim 11 wherein the liquid spreader assembly isreleasably connected to the reservoir.
 13. The multi-functional cleaningand floor care system of claim 10 wherein the liquid spreader assemblyis connectable and disconnectable by a user without the use of a tool.14. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 10wherein the liquid spreader assembly is moveable to an up position and adown position by a user without the use of a tool.
 15. Amulti-functional cleaning and floor care system, comprising: a reservoirdefining an interior space operable to hold a fresh cleaning liquid; avacuum recovery tank; a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to thevacuum recovery tank; a wheeled chassis configured to support at leastone of the fresh liquid reservoir and the vacuum recovery tank; a spigotfluidly connected to the reservoir interior space, the spigot adjustablebetween a fully open position and a fully closed position, whereby whenthe reservoir contains a fresh cleaning liquid, a user may regulate theflow of the fresh cleaning liquid from the reservoir through the spigotby adjusting the spigot; and a squeegee head assembly connected to atleast one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the wet vacuum assembly, andthe wheeled chassis, the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable tothe vacuum recovery tank, the squeegee head assembly operable to vacuumat least a portion of the liquid on the floor surface into the vacuumrecovery tank.
 16. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 15 wherein the squeegee head assembly is connected to thereservoir.
 17. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care system ofclaim 16 wherein the squeegee head assembly is releasably connected tothe reservoir.
 18. The multi-functional cleaning and floor care systemof claim 15 wherein the squeegee head assembly is connectable anddisconnectable by a user without the use of a tool.
 19. Themulti-functional cleaning and floor care system of claim 15 wherein thesqueegee head assembly is moveable to an up position and a down positionby a user without the use of a tool.